Order of the Ascension (OA)

The Order of the Ascension is a dispersed community. Professed Members have served the parishes of the church as priests and bishops, consultants, trainers and writers. Our charism is the development of parish churches grounded in Anglican pastoral and ascetical theology, especially Benedictine spirituality. We also draw on the fields of organization development and organizational psychology in our work. 

Members take a Promise “to seek the presence of Jesus Christ in the people, things and circumstances of life through stability, obedience and conversion of life.” The person is clothed in the cassock on the first taking of the Promise and becoming a novice. The novitiate typically lasts 3 – 5 years. The cross of the Order is given when the Promise is taken a second time and the person is Life Professed.

The Order’s common life centers on a five-day gathering each year for spiritual retreat, reflection on the various roles we play in parish revitalization, social time and business. This is usually held in a week near the Feast of the Ascension. 

Membership is open to laity, bishops, priests and deacons; to baptized people of any Christian communion. The Order’s current membership draws from Arkansas, Florida, Seattle, California, Georgia, Delaware, New York, and North Carolina.